W.H.: North Korea threat 'needlessly provocative'

1/24/13 11:55 AM EST

White House press secretary Jay Carney responded on Thursday to threats from the North Korean government that it will launch more long-range rockets and conduct a nuclear test aimed at the United States.

"North Korea’s statement is needlessly provocative, and a test would be a significant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions," Carney said. "Further provacations would only increase Pyongyang's isolation and its continued focus on its nuclear and missile program is doing nothing to help the North Korean people."

He noted that the UN Security Council adopted a resolution just days ago, expressing determination to take "significant action in the event of a further launch or a nuclear test." Carney said the resolution sends a "strong message of the international community's opposition to North Korea's provocations."

"These tightened sanctions will help impede the growth of weapons-of-mass-destruction programs in North Korean programs -- in North Korea, rather -- and the United States will be taking additional steps in that regard, but I have nothing more for you."

Carney declined to detail what actions the U.S. plans to take.

"We judge North Korea by its actions, and provocations like these are significant violations, and, you know, we act accordingly," he said. "We certainly haven’t seen a noticeable change in behavior."